Yadier Molina would like Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to know he’s not tired

After his manager suggested he’s tired, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina took to Instagram to defend himself.

This season is surely not going as well as the St. Louis Cardinals hoped, with a 50-52 record entering Friday leaving them on the fringe of playoff contention. Yadier Molina, St Louis’ long-time catcher, has started 85 games behind the plate, with one start at first base mixed in.

Since being recalled from Triple-A last Friday, backup catcher Carson Kelly has started two games in Molina’s place. Molina was dealing with a sore ankle a week ago, but Thursday seemed like a regular day off with Kelly in the lineup again.

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny spoke about Molina after Thursday’s game, and, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, stopped just short of using a dreaded word in reference to his veteran catcher.

"“Yadi’s caught a lot,” Matheny said. “Yesterday, just kind of watching him go around the bases, too, you could tell that he’s, you know…” Matheny changed course mid-sentence, but he was implying that Molina is tired."

Getting an occasional rest during a day game after a night game is hardy unique, and Molina’s age (35) and recent ankle issue should be noted too with Matheny’s words. Still, Molina did not take very kindly to his manager suggesting he is tired.

Molina has multiple hits in each of his last three games, and he’s putting up solid offensive numbers with a .275/.307/.414 slash-line,10 home runs and 44 RBI over 349 plate appearances this season. He has also been very durable, catching at least 131 games in all but one full season since 2009.

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If he is behind the plate for 46 of the Cardinals remaining 60 games, which seems like a pretty safe bet without a disabled list stint, Molina will make it eight out of nine seasons with at least 131 games caught. Matheny’s concern is duly noted, but unless Molina’s ankle is a recurring problem he does not appear to be wearing down as July ends.